by Joan Jonker
She looks terrified, never mind nervous, Agnes told herself. But if I’m any judge of character, that bonny face is more at ease with a smile on it. Pulling out a chair from the table, she said, ‘Mr Robert said perhaps you would like a cup of tea out here, just so yer can get to know us a bit, and wouldn’t be so shy.’ She watched Robert take Maureen’s coat from her, and glimpsed the look exchanged between the two. They’re in love all right, Agnes thought, and what a handsome couple they make. I’ve got a feeling in me bones that me and this lady are going to get along like a house on fire.
Kitty and Jessie were looking on with more than a little interest. After all, before very long this woman would be their boss. But even without exchanging a word with her, both knew she was a world apart from Miss Edwina ’cos she wasn’t stuck up, or looking down her nose at them.
The housekeeper waited until Maureen was seated, then asked, with a straight face, ‘Now Miss Maureen, would you like yer tea in a china cup, a thick muggen one, or an enamel mug with a ruddy big chip in?’
It was Kitty’s laugh that rang out and filled the air. ‘Oh, ye’re a bleedin’ hero, yer are, Aggie Weatherby, stealing someone else’s joke.’
Robert touched Maureen’s shoulder. ‘I did tell you, didn’t I?’
The ice was broken and Maureen’s chuckle was rich and deep. ‘I’ll tell you what, Agnes, I’ll have what you’re having.’
Again Kitty’s fancy was tickled. ‘That’s got yer, hasn’t it, queen, eh? Yer can’t let Mr Robert know we use the best china cups when he’s not looking, and yer hate those thick muggen ones. So it’s the chipped enamel mug for you.’
Agnes turned on her. ‘Do you like my scones, sunshine?’
‘Yer know I do, queen, I could eat them all day and never get sick of them.’
‘Well, yer won’t be eating any today, yer silly sod, ’cos yer just talked yerself out of them. That’ll teach yer to interrupt when I’m talking.’
‘Blimey, you must have got out of bed on the wrong side this morning, queen. Ye’re very touchy, so yer are. If I were you, Miss Maureen, I’d keep me gob shut or yer’ll talk yerself out of some of the most delicious scones ye’re ever likely to taste.’ The little woman gave a broad wink. ‘Mind you, it would be the price of her if she was left to eat the lot herself.’
‘I don’t want to miss a treat, so my lips are sealed,’ Maureen said. ‘I’ve heard all about the scones Agnes makes, and I can’t wait to taste them.’
The housekeeper preened. ‘That’s one in the eye for you, Kitty Higgins. You can’t make scones to save yer life.’
‘No, but I can sing and dance, so there!’ A pink tongue showed itself for a second. ‘So I’ll do a deal with yer, queen, shall I? One scone for one song?’
There was fondness in the housekeeper’s smile. ‘One of your songs is worth three scones any day, sunshine, so don’t sell yerself short.’
Jessie thought it was time she said something, otherwise Miss Maureen would think she had no tongue. ‘I can’t make scones, or sing, Aggie, but I can do a tap dance. Would that count?’
Robert guffawed, Maureen’s shoulders shook, and the housekeeper and cleaner doubled up. When Agnes came up for air, she said, ‘Jessie, sunshine, for yer innocence yer can have two scones.’
‘Oh dear,’ Robert said. ‘I can’t sing or tap dance, so the likelihood of me ever getting a scone is very remote. Mind you, when I was younger, I used to be able to get quite a nifty tune playing a comb.’
‘I could recite a poem,’ Maureen offered.
Agnes shook her head. ‘Mr Robert, you don’t need to do nothing, you’ll get as many scones as yer want because we love yer. And you, Miss Maureen, well, you’re a visitor and we should be entertaining you, not the other way around.’ Her face was smiling, but her eyes were serious when she added, ‘And a very welcome visitor, if I may say so.’
‘I’ll second that,’ Kitty said. ‘Ye’re as welcome as the flowers in May, Miss Maureen.’ She felt a tug on her skirt and turned to find Jessie pleading with her eyes. ‘And this young lady, who isn’t always so shy, wants me to tell yer she feels the same.’
‘That’s very kind of you. I was very nervous about coming, and when Robert said there was no need to be, I thought he was only saying it to make me feel better. I know now I had no reason to be nervous, you have made me feel very much at home.’
‘I’m sure you’ll feel more at home when we get the cup of tea Agnes mentioned, and the much talked-of scones. They will fortify you for when you meet my two children and their grandparents.’ Robert took his fobwatch out and looked at the time. ‘Would you excuse me for a few minutes, I need to make a phone call.’
When he came back, he seemed pleased with himself. ‘There’ll be an extra one for dinner, Agnes, I hope you don’t mind? Nigel took it upon himself to invite Bobby.’
‘Oh, how did the lad get on at the interview, Mr Robert?’
‘I’m afraid we’ll have to wait until Bobby tells us, I have no idea.’ But his eyes told her different and she felt cheered inside. ‘Nigel is bringing him with Ada and Joe, and he’s stopping at the college to pick up Abbie.’ He turned to Maureen. ‘So, my dear, you are to meet the whole gang in one go. Will you survive?’
‘Had you asked me that this morning, I would have shuddered at the thought. Meeting the children will be the biggest strain, but I do feel a lot more relaxed now, so I’m sure I’ll survive the day.’
‘There’s no need for you to worry yer head about the children, Miss Maureen,’ Agnes told her. ‘I know Mr Nigel and Miss Abbie inside out, and I can tell yer now they’re going to love yer. But yer going to have to share them with me, ’cos they’ve been like my own children since the day I started here ten years ago.’
‘I’ll be quite happy to share everything with you, Agnes, except Robert. He’s the only one I’ve got to call my own and I’m keeping tight hold.’
Bobby couldn’t stop talking on the way to pick up Ada and Joe. He was so high with excitement Nigel wouldn’t let him drive. ‘I got it, Nige, and I feel like shouting it from the rooftops. I’ve got to give me notice in, though, so I won’t be starting until two weeks on Monday.’
‘I’m very pleased for you, Bobby, and I know my dad will be delighted.’
‘Abbie will get a surprise, won’t she?’
‘I don’t think so, because my sister believes you have it in you to achieve anything you set out to do.’
‘Did she say that?’
‘I’m not saying any more, Bobby, because you’ll only repeat it. Anyway, what did your mother have to say?’
‘Over the moon, Nige, over the flippin’ moon. Mind you, I didn’t have much time with her ’cos you were waiting outside, but she was delighted for me. Just think, an extra five bob a week, and that’s as second man. When I get to drive, the money’s better still.’
Nigel pulled up outside his grandparents’ house and grinned when the door was opened immediately and they stepped out on to the pavement. ‘You both look very prosperous, Gramps. You haven’t had a win on the gee-gees, have you?’
‘That’ll be the day,’ Ada said, waving to Bobby. ‘I’m the only nag in Joe’s life.’
As soon as they were settled in the back seat of the car, Bobby twisted round and started telling them about his new job. And he carried on until they pulled up outside the college, where Abbie was waiting for them. He couldn’t wait for the car to come to a complete stop before opening the door and shouting, ‘I got it, Abbie!’
‘Oh, I’m so glad for you, you clever thing! Congratulations!’ She bent down and kissed him on the cheek before sliding into the back seat with her grandparents, who were both highly amused but tried not to show it.
Abbie’s kiss didn’t only surprise Bobby, it rendered him speechless and he didn’t say a word until they reached their destination. Then he pulled himself together and followed Nigel in doing the gentlemanly thing and helping the old folk out of the back of the car and up the path. They wa
lked slowly so the couple could take in their fill of the fine house that had been their daughter’s home for ten years. Never once had they been invited here, but although each of them felt a twinge of sadness, there was no deep hurt. Their daughter may have taken a lot from them, but she had given them Bob, and that more than compensated. If he’d been their own son, they couldn’t have loved him more.
‘We’re going in the back way,’ Abbie said, hurrying on ahead. ‘Dad and his friend will probably be in the kitchen.’ But when she opened the door there was no sign of either. Her heart dropped thinking something must have turned up to alter the arrangements.
Agnes saw the disappointment on the girl’s face and hastened to reassure her. ‘Yer Dad and Miss Maureen are in the drawing room, sunshine, they thought it would be better to have a bit of privacy.’
Abbie’s face broke into a grin. ‘I thought it had fallen through and was about to cry my eyes out. Gran and Granda are here, shall I take them through to the drawing room with me?’
‘No, Miss Abbie, I’m to give them a cup of tea out here first, to give yer a bit of time on yer own instead of throwing everything at Miss Maureen in one go. But I think yer’ve forgotten yer manners, sunshine, ’cos none of us have ever met yer Grandma and Granda, so it would be nice to be introduced.’
While Abbie’s hand went to cover her mouth in embarrassment, Bobby led Ada forward. ‘Agnes, Kitty and Jessie. This lovely lady is Mrs Brady, and the handsome man with Nige is Mr Brady.’ While hands were being shaken, he turned to Abbie. ‘Fancy you forgetting yer manners. Honest, yer’d forget yer flipping head if it was loose.’
‘Gran, will you be all right with Agnes if we leave you for ten minutes or so?’ Nigel was eager to get to the drawing room, but he didn’t want to plonk his grandparents down with strangers and run. ‘They’ll look after you, and of course you know Bobby, he’ll keep you amused. But if he starts bragging about his job again, tell him to put a sock in it.’
‘Oh, yer got the job, did yer, lad?’ Agnes laced her fingers and put them under her chin. She was so pleased for the young man she’d taken a real liking to. ‘I’m highly delighted for yer, I really am.’
‘Yer not thinking of kissing me, are yer, Agnes?’
‘Well, I hadn’t really thought of doing so, but I will if yer want me to.’
‘No, it’s all right. It’s just that the young lady who forgot her manners a few minutes ago, she gave me a kiss when I wasn’t looking.’
Abbie blushed to the roots of her hair. ‘You cheeky beggar! I was congratulating you, that’s all. But I’ll never congratulate you again, even if you were made Prime Minister.’
Nigel took her arm and propelled her towards the door. ‘Come on, Dad will be waiting for us. We won’t be long.’
Robert stood up when his children came into the room, and when they stayed motionless just inside the door, he became nervous for the first time that day. Maureen rose from her chair, and for what was only a matter of seconds, but seemed like an eternity to their father, the children stared at her. Then he broke the silence. ‘Maureen, my dear, these are my two children who you have heard so much about. Nigel, Abbie, this is my friend, Maureen Schofield.’
The children saw a woman who was bonny in figure and face, and fairly well dressed. Not in the height of fashion, but her clothes were of good quality and she wore them well. They also saw how nervous she was, as she bit on her bottom lip to stop it from quivering. Then a smile broke through on the pretty face and brought the two children to life. They moved forward as one, but Abbie beat Nigel to it. Ignoring the outstretched hand, she flung her arms around the woman who she just knew would be good for her father. ‘Oh, it’s good to meet you after Dad’s told us so much about you.’
With tears threatening, Maureen returned the embrace and kissed the youthful face that reminded her so much of Robert. ‘This is a very happy occasion for me.’
Abbie felt so comfortable she didn’t want to move. This was how it must feel when you had a mother who loved you. It was a strange but wonderful feeling. But her brother thought it was time for her to make room for him, so he gently disentangled her arms. ‘My turn now, Abbie, if you don’t mind.’
The girl flew from one pair of arms to another. ‘Oh, Dad, she’s lovely. I’m so happy that you found her.’
Robert held her tight, and looking over her shoulder, he saw Nigel giving Maureen a hug and kiss. The sight moved him so much he felt a hard lump form in his throat. This scene would stay in his memory for ever. Then he heard Nigel ask, ‘What do we call you? We can’t call you Maureen, that wouldn’t be right, and Miss Schofield sounds so stiff.’
‘I really don’t know, I think you should ask your father.’
‘I know,’ Abbie said. ‘Auntie Maureen! That sounds nice and friendly. But when you and Dad are married, I’m going to call you Mum. That’s if you don’t mind, of course?’
‘That would make me very happy.’ And indeed Maureen was very happy. To be part of a family would be wonderful, and she had Robert to thank for it.
‘I think we should bring your grandparents in now, Nigel. Would you bring them through, please? I very much want them to meet Maureen.’
‘Can I bring Bobby, as well, Dad? He’s so excited about the job, if he doesn’t get to tell you about it soon, I think he’ll burst a blood vessel.’
So while Ada and Joe were making friends with Maureen, Robert was showing great surprise at Bobby’s news. ‘I’m delighted for you, Bobby. Now you must work very hard so you can apply for a driver’s job.’
Nigel and Abbie were listening at a discreet distance. And they heard Bobby answer, ‘Oh, I intend to work hard, Mr Dennison. In fact I’ll work that hard, I might even take your job off yer one day.’
A little later, Robert suggested the children take their grandparents and Bobby on a tour of the house. This gave him some time alone with Maureen. ‘Well, my love? Did I not tell you your worries were groundless?’
‘Robert, I have never known such happiness. Everyone is so friendly, and your children and mother- and father-in-law are an absolute dream. I am a very lucky woman.’
‘You have met those closest to me, and you will get to know them well over the next few months. My friends you will meet next week, when I have what I call a housewarming. No society people who are only here because of their status, but ordinary people who have been my good friends for many years. It will be an enjoyable night, I promise.’
Bobby was the first one back, and he couldn’t suppress his enthusiasm. ‘Mr Dennison, it’s some place yer’ve got here, all right. When me mam comes next week, can I take her around and show her all the rooms?’
‘Of course you can, son, it’ll be open house to everyone next Wednesday night.’
Ada and Joe came in shaking their heads. ‘By heaven, lad, yer’ve got a grand house. We’ve never seen the likes of it,’ Joe said. ‘It’s like a palace.’
‘It’s only what yer deserve, Bob,’ Ada said. ‘Yer’ve worked hard enough for it. Me and Joe are so happy for yer.’
‘You are welcome here any time. Particularly next Wednesday when it’s open house to all my family and friends. And Christmas is not far off, Ada, so you and Joe can come and spend the whole of the Christmas period with us.’
Ada sniffed up before looking at Maureen. ‘Yer’ve got a good man here, sweetheart, so you take good care of him.’
Looking across the room to meet the pair of brown eyes that had seldom left her face, she said, ‘I intend to take very good care of him, Ada.’
Robert wasn’t going into work the next day, he had too much organising to do. But he still rose early to have breakfast with his two children. He was facing the housekeeper across the table. ‘I thought perhaps a buffet, next Wednesday, Agnes. What do you think?’
‘How many for, Mr Robert?’
‘Every time I reckon up, I get a different figure. There’s four from Jeff’s family, six altogether from Balfour Road, Ada and Joe, mine will be fo
ur with Maureen, and then there’s Kitty and Alf, yourself and Jessie. Oh, and Tilly from next door. That comes to twenty-one. But I believe Nigel may want to bring a young lady called Doreen. Am I right, son?’
Nigel flushed. ‘I don’t know yet, Dad. Could I let you know later?’
His sister gave him a dig. ‘Why don’t you tell the truth? He likes Doreen, Dad, and she is very nice. But the one he’s really crazy about, but hasn’t got the guts to do anything about, is Milly. Go on, admit it!’
‘Is it true, Nigel?’ Robert asked. ‘If it is, then you shouldn’t lead Doreen on.’
‘Dad, Milly doesn’t think of me in that way. I’m just her friend’s brother, that’s the way she sees me.’
‘And isn’t that the way Bobby sees me?’ Abbie had such a determined look on her face, Agnes winked across the table at Robert. ‘He’s always treated me like his friend’s sister. But I’m not going to let it put me off. I think Bobby is the one for me, and I’m going all out to get him. You should do the same.’
To save his son further embarrassment, Robert said, ‘I’ll tell you what, you can let me know in the next day or two, Nigel.’
‘Yes, I’ll do that, Dad.’ Nigel returned the dig his sister had given him. ‘I’m ready to go, are you coming?’
Abbie grinned. ‘He’ll hit me when we get outside, Dad. But isn’t it better to go for the one you want, rather than spend the rest of your life regretting it?’
‘I think so, my dear, but it really is up to Nigel. Now hurry along or you’ll be late.’
The housekeeper waited until the door closed before chuckling. ‘She’s got a head on her shoulders, has Miss Abbie. She knows what she wants and she’ll go all out to get it.’
‘I hope she’s successful.’
‘Oh, she will be, Mr Robert, mark my words. As sure as eggs is eggs, she’ll end up with Bobby and have a wonderful life.’ The housekeeper met his eyes. ‘And you will have a wonderful life, too. Miss Maureen is a lovely lady, one after me own heart.’